Door-access-control System Based on Finger-vein Authentication

OVERVIEW: Door-access control is a physical security system that assures the security of a room or building by means of limiting the access to that room or building to specific people and by keeping records of such accesses. It utilizes an individual-authentication method in order to limit access to specific people. The most widespread authentication method for such systems is based on smart cards. Such a system limits room access to only those people who hold an allocated smart card. However, in the case of smartcard systems, on top of the difficulty in preventing another person from attaining and using a legitimate person’s card, there is the inconvenience of processing lost cards. In the meantime, accompanying the continuing development of fingerprints as the main biometrics method for individual authentication, the practical application of door-access-control systems utilizing biometric data has begun. Biometrics authentication uses information specific to a person’s body in order to assure a high level of security that makes it difficult for a stranger to impersonate that person. Although there are several types of biometrics authentication methods, the one — called finger-vein authentication — presented here is the most suitable method for controlling door access by a large number of people. This paper describes the features of the developed finger-vein-authentication method and presents two applications of this authentication method to door-access control.